Toads, VERMIN
Gold Punk toad, VERMIN 2019 , Photo credit: Jasmine Fisher
Goth Toad on Smoko, VERMIN 2019 Photo credit: Tobias Titz
Tan toad, Terry Selwood/Toad supplier 2020 Photo credit: Jasmine Fisher
Taxidermy toad, Toad Man Jack, 2020 Photo credit: Jasmine Fisher
ABOUT THE PIECES
Lia Tabrah began designing and making cane toad jewellery in 2012. Lia would collect ‘stuffed’ taxidermy cane toads from kitschy souvenir stores and suppliers across Australia. She became fascinated with cane toad taxidermy art often found in different poses such as the iconic ‘AFL footy’ toad, and the overweight ‘Bundy Rum’ toad. These are amongst the most notorious souvenirs that are most typical of Australia’s ‘tongue-in-cheek’ sense of humour.
DETAILS
Gold Punk toad, VERMIN 2019
24 ct gold plated cane toad, Swarovski crystals, metal studs
Goth Toad on Smoko, VERMIN 2019
Materials: Dyed stuffed cane toad, 24ct gold plated ciggie
Tan toad, Terry Selwood/Toad supplier
Tanned stuffed cane toad
Materials: Taxidermy cane toad
Toad Man Jack Toad
Materials: Taxidermy cane toad
PRICE
NFS
ARTIST BIOS
Founder of VERMIN the Label, Lia Tabrah, commenced working with cane toad leather in 2017. Lia is a Melbourne based designer, artist and curator operating under the brand O.T.T. by Lia.T since 2008.
Lia Tabrah is a Melbourne based artist and curator working in design, sculpture, and installation. In her art and design practice O.T.T by Lia .T, she revels in the colourful spectacle of Australiana, kitsch, vernacular forms and wearable art. Lia’s flamboyant work blurs the lines between the natural and the artificial in unexpected ways, bringing together a wide range of references including pop culture, tourism iconography, Australian folklore, and the environment. She uses various techniques such as metalsmithing to redefine notions of beauty, luxury, and high and low culture.
Lia has collaborated with many leading cultural organisations including National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Melbourne Fashion Festival, and Melbourne Design Week.
As a regular artist showcased in Melbourne’s art and fashion scene, Lia met Perina Drummond and formed a friendship that led to creating the now partnership that is VERMIN.
Perina is a proud Indigenous woman from northern Australia. Her mob is Daureb, Wuthathi and Yadhaigana. She moved to Melbourne in 2015 to continue her styling career in the fashion industry where she was taught and guided by one of Australia’s leading fashion stylist in runway, curated exhibitions and photography.
Her former career in modelling resurfaced in 2017 where she founded modelling agency Jira. Jira Models solely represents First Nations people of Australia. It is a platform where talents can enter the industry in a culturally safe environment.
As VERMIN transitions to become 100% Australian owned and made, Lia and Perina are travelling around the country to engage with Indigenous communities to turning this elusive pest into luxury leather.
VERMIN
Terry Selwood
Toad Man Jack